Mine 9

This low-budget indie offers realistic acting and an air of suspense throughout.

Set in the Appalachians of West Virginia, the film, written and directed by Eddie Mensore, centers on the Salvia Mine #9 and the crew of coal miners, led by their crew chief Zeke (Terry Serpico). He's so concerned about the increasingly hazardous conditions at the mine that he has called the government safety agency MSHA about them.

However, before they can investigate a methane gas explosion and a cave-in has trapped the miners miles below the surface. The movie depicts their desperate attempts to survive with only dwindling oxygen supplies.

Overall, the film gives us some idea of the tremendous dangers the miners face each day and their tenuous relationship with the owners of the mines and the government agencies. To be honest, I felt that there was too limited details of how the mining companies seemingly cut corners to make profits, at the expense of the safety of their workers.

As the credits roll, some real-life veteran miners describe why they put themselves in such a hazardous and grueling work environment each day.